"Dancing is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire, legalised by music."
Probably the UK's most high-energy contra dance band, Vertical Expression is what happens when you take two English ceilidh musicians on fiddle and melodeon and put them with a guitar and double bass rhythm section with a love of bluegrass and gypsy jazz, throw in some old time music and foot percussion, a bit of French-Canadian one-row box, a few Irish fiddle tunes, some Django Reinhardt-style guitar, a bit of creativity and a lot of energy and fun...
Recent and upcoming gigs:
2019
- Friday 8th March 2019 Alcester Contra, Alcester Grammar School, Alcester, Warwickshire with caller Nicola Scott
- Sunday 7th April 2019 Contra Holiday in Medieval England, Ely (private event)
- Saturday 14th September 2019 London Barndance, Cecil Sharp House, Camden, with caller Adam Hughes
- Saturday 14th December 2019 London Barndance, Cecil Sharp House, Camden, with caller Bob Morgan
2018
- Saturday 13th October 2018 London Barndance, Cecil Sharp House, Camden, with caller Kathy Anderson (USA)
- Saturday 27th October 2018 Leeds Contra,St Chad's hall, Leeds, with caller Charlotte Rich
- Saturday 3rd November 2018 Hawk Green FDC, St Peter's Parish Centre, Hazel Grove, with caller Geoff Cubitt
- Saturday 10th November 2018 Paris Contra Dance, Mairie du 14e, Paris, France, with caller Geoff Cubitt
Vertical Expression are:
Charley Roberts - fiddle
Ian Roberts - melodeons and feet
Ian Benton - guitar
Margaret Benton - double bass